Things to do in London this week

What to do and see in London this week, Wednesday 20th to 27th August 2014: The coolest, cultural current events in London, as selected by the Culture Whisper team

1. LAST CHANCE: The Fashion World of Jean Paul Gaultier, From the Sidewalk to the Catwalk

The Barbican Gaultier retrospective ends on Monday 25th August. Go now to see 165 couture and ready-to-wear pieces (including Madonna’s conical bra and costumes made for Kylie Minogue and Pedro Almodóvar).

2. MUST-SEE FILM: Deux Jours, Une Nuit

The Dardenne Brothers' latest richly human offering stars the brilliant Marion Cotillard as an employee facing the sack who has two days to persuade her colleagues to help her keep her job.

3. INDOOR CARNIVAL: Up Hill Down Hall, Tate Modern

Trust Tate Modern to get in on Notting Hill Carnival’s act. On Saturday 23rd August their Turbine Hall hosts a multi-disciplinary show of dance, music and art devoted to carnival’s ‘ritual of resistance, festival of otherness and performance art’. From 3pm to 6pm.

4. IMMERSIVE THEATRE: The Boy Who Climbed Out of His Face

Arts collective Shunt take inspiration from Charles Kingsley and Joseph Conrad to create a watery theatrical experience in disused coaling jetty on the Thames. Until 28th September.

5. OPEN-AIR CINEMA: The Power of Summer, Battersea Power Station

The temperature may have dropped a touch but this season of outdoor cinema against the magnificent setting of Battersea Power Station is going out in style, with Everyman Cinemas screening family and cult entertainment from The Incredibles to Kill Bill, and Street Feast supplying the food and booze. Until 31st August.

6. FOR CHILDREN OFF ALL AGES: Groove On Down the Road, the Southbank

Fabulously talented youth street dance company Zoonation, all under 19, perform an irresistible hip hop version of the Wizard of Oz, with music from Stevie Wonder and Justin Timberlake and some modern messages about nurturing vital childhood creativity. 

7. ALTERNATIVE OPERA: Grimeborn 2014, Arcola Theatre

Grimeborn (geddit?) is a festival of fringe opera featuring forgotten classics as well as new works on some unlikely subjects: Women’s Box, for example, (26th to 28th August) is an omnibus of three works by British female composers inspired by women’s Olympic boxing.

8.  FOODIE POP-UP: White Hat Bakery, Undercroft Cafe

East End slow food bakers White Hat are on a mission to revolutionise the lunchtime sandwich with artisanal bread made with love. Their residency at the Undercroft Café ends on Tuesday 2nd September; go now to stock up Earl Grey cherry teacake and pistachio loaf.

9. ART LATE: Latin Takeover at the Royal Academy

To celebrate their exhibition of South American art, Radical Geometry, the RA are hosting a night of mojitos, music and dance courtesy of Brazilian Grammy-award winner Zeu Azevedo. Until 10pm; walk up tickets only available.

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